Student Internships

Student internships are an important part of many vocational, college and university programs. While working in a practice setting, interns explore and gain new competencies in addition to enriching or applying the skills and knowledge they already possess.

In Québec, a range of internships exists. For example, depending on their program of study, students may participate in internships involving job shadowing or observation, gaining and developing knowledge or applying their skills. The internships may take place in the public service, private companies, community organizations or business/training schools, and may last from a few days to several months.

The Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur is currently leading a major project designed to develop a detailed status report on the situation and respond to the concerns expressed by the stakeholders.

Already completed

  • Descriptive typology of internships included in college and university programs in collaboration with Éduconseil (December 2017)
  • Meetings with student associations (December 13, 2018 and February, 19, 2019)
  • Meeting with college and university directors (December 19, 2018)

Underway

  • Complete inventory of internships in collaboration with post-secondary educational institutions
    • Number of students who do internships
    • Number of programs of study that include internships
    • Types and lengths of internships
  • Analyses of various aspects of internships
    • Financial considerations
    • Support, guidance and other elements that promote success
    • Protection offered to students

Upcoming

  • Meetings
    • Student associations
    • Educational institutions
    • Job market partners: employers and unions
  • Sharing of possible internship scenarios